NFL Rumors: Dallas Cowboys to sign Anthony Armstrong?

With a 5-6 record and a playoff spot still within reach, the Dallas Cowboys could be looking to shuffle some pieces as the postseason draws closer.

After working out for the team earlier in the week, veteran wide receiver Anthony Armstrong could be signing with the Cowboys soon in hopes of strengthening their depth at the position.

An opportunity has recently arisen for Armstrong with injuries sidelining Kevin Ogletree and Miles Austin. Armstrong worked out for the Cowboys after Ogletree went down with a concussion last weekend. Austin suffered a strained hip on Turkey Day against the Washington Redskins, which has left the Cowboys short at wide receiver.

Throughout his three-year NFL career, Armstrong has hauled in 54 passes for 986 yards and five touchdowns. His best season came back in 2010 – his rookie year – when he caught 44 passes for 871 yards (19.8 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. All but 12 of his catches went for first downs, but the spark faded after his first NFL campaign. Armstrong has also made a mark in kick coverage, amassing 14 career special teams tackles.

The West Texas A&M alumnus spent his first two seasons with the Redskins before joining the Miami Dolphins during the 2012 offseason. After playing in five games for the Dolphins, Armstrong was released and has been on the streets since.

Although it’s unlikely that he would provide an instant impact for the Cowboys, Armstrong could bring some much-needed depth to the Dallas receiving unit while providing special teams help. At this point, Tony Romo and the Cowboys’ passing attack could use all of the help they can get.

He's very fast but drops everything thrown to him. He'll beat everyone and be wide open on a deep pass and it will bounce off his chest every time. I'm not even joking.

He's been cut by the Redskins, Miami and Jacksonville all THIS YEAR. I'll be thrilled to see him wearing stars on his helmet.

PowerThroughIt;982677913 said:

came out very strong his first year when mcnabb took over. made some good deep ball catches and had great speed, route running was meh.. but not too awful.

the following year he fell off the planet.

problemz;982774733 said:

He can fly..but has HUGE issues with getting off of jams off the line,terrible run blocker,to weak to break tackles,hands are garbage and runs AT BEST two routes. Besides that he's fast and a good dude(meet him a few times)..heard the Cowboys were working him out and was wondering if it was for a roster spot or just info on Redskins offense.

I'd compare him to Andrew Hawkins (WR - Cincinnati), as far as play-style is concerned.

AA couldn't hold Hawkins cleats. Armstrong has great straight line speed, I think he either was the fastest or second fastest player on our team when he was a Redskin. But outside of his speed, his routes aren't crisp and his hands aren't great either. He fell out of favor with the Shanahans when he was rarely getting open, and when he was, he was dropping balls. Considering how bad our receivers are, he may have still had a spot on our roster if the other receivers weren't bigger than him.

He's surprisingly old for a guy who hasn't played much in the NFL, 29 years old, so he really isn't a developmental prospect.

It seems like he is a guy to fill a short-term hole with the loss of Miles and Otree. It is surprising that they think he is more ready to contribute on a fill-in role than Holmes considering he doesn't know our offense, doesn't have a lot of pro experience, isn't known for his routes or his hands.

My guess is Garrett really felt he needed a speed WR and he was the best one available on the street. I really can't see any other reason to bring him in.